Push to connect conduit fitting assemblies and arrangements

ABSTRACT

A push to connect fitting includes first and second fitting components, a sealing arrangement, a gripping arrangement, and a colleting ring. The first fitting component has an outboard end that is adapted to receive a conduit end. The second fitting component is joined to the first fitting component to define an interior cavity. The sealing arrangement, disposed in the interior cavity, seals one of the first and second fitting components with an outer surface of a conduit end when the conduit end is inserted into the outboard end of the first fitting component. The gripping arrangement is disposed in the interior cavity, and the colleting ring is disposed in the interior cavity and has an inboard end surface engaging an outboard end surface of the gripping arrangement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and all benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/827,302, filed on Apr. 1, 2019, entitledPUSH TO CONNECT CONDUIT FITTING ASSEMBLIES AND ARRANGEMENTS, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The inventions relate generally to fittings for conduits such as tubeand pipe. More particularly, the inventions relate to fittings thatprovide single action push to connect operation.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pushto connect fitting includes first and second fitting components, asealing arrangement, a gripping arrangement, and a colleting ring. Thefirst fitting component has an outboard end that is adapted to receive aconduit end. The second fitting component is joined to the first fittingcomponent to define an interior cavity. The sealing arrangement,disposed in the interior cavity, seals one of the first and secondfitting components with an outer surface of a conduit end when theconduit end is inserted into the outboard end of the first fittingcomponent. The gripping arrangement is disposed in the interior cavity,and the colleting ring is disposed in the interior cavity and has aninboard end surface engaging an outboard end surface of the grippingarrangement.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, apush to connect fitting assembly includes a conduit having an endportion with a circumferential groove, a first fitting component havingan outboard end receiving the conduit end portion, a second fittingcomponent joined to the first fitting component to define an interiorcavity, and a sealing arrangement and a conduit retaining arrangementdisposed in the interior cavity. The sealing arrangement seals one ofthe first and second fitting components with an outer surface of aconduit end portion. The conduit retaining arrangement includes agripping portion received in the circumferential groove, and a colletingportion engaging an interior tapered surface of the second fittingcomponent at least when the conduit is subjected to one of a pullingforce and a fluid pressure force. At least one of the gripping portionand the colleting portion is defined by a split ring.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, aconduit end preparing tool includes a body, a conduit deforming roller,a gripping member, a clamping member, and a conduit positioningarrangement. The conduit deforming roller is rotationally supported bythe body and includes at least one of a groove forming rib and a conduitmarking ridged ring. The gripping member includes a conduit engagingroller and is slideably mounted to the body for engagement of theconduit engaging roller with a conduit inserted between the conduitdeforming roller and the conduit engaging roller. The clamping member isthreadably retained with the body and adjustable for clamping engagementwith the gripping member to clamp the inserted conduit between thegroove forming roller and the conduit engaging rollers. The conduitpositioning arrangement is secured with the body and configured toengage an end portion of the inserted conduit to axially position theend portion of the inserted conduit with respect to the at least one ofthe groove forming rib and the conduit marking ridged ring.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, apush to connect fitting includes first and second fitting componentsassembled to define an internal cavity enclosing a conduit retainingarrangement axially movable between a conduit gripping position and aconduit releasing position, and a conduit releasing insert including afitting interlocking feature releasably engaging the second fittingcomponent, and a releasing feature engaging the conduit retainingarrangement to secure the conduit retaining arrangement in a conduitreleasing position against axial outboard movement. Removal of theconduit releasing insert, by disengaging the fitting interlockingfeature from the second fitting component, permits spring biasedmovement of the conduit retaining arrangement to the conduit grippingposition.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, apush to connect fitting includes a first and second fitting components,a sealing arrangement, a retainer and a spring member. The first fittingcomponent has an outboard end that is adapted to receive a conduit end,and the second fitting component is joined to the first fittingcomponent to define an interior cavity. The sealing arrangement isdisposed in the interior cavity and axially movable between an inboardlimit position and an outboard limit position, and includes a sealmember that seals one of the first and second fitting components with anouter surface of a conduit end when the conduit end is inserted into theoutboard end of the first fitting component. The sealing arrangement isaxially movable between an inboard limit position and an outboard limitposition. The retainer is assembled with at least one of the first andsecond fitting components, and includes a gripping portion that engagesthe inserted conduit end. The spring member is disposed between theretainer and the sealing arrangement to bias the retainer in an outboarddirection toward a conduit gripping position in which the grippingportion engages a tapered interior surface of the second fittingcomponent, the spring member further biasing the sealing arrangementtoward the inboard limit position. The sealing arrangement furtherincludes a gland having an axially extending tail portion extendingthrough the spring member, such that engagement of the tail portion withthe retainer defines the outboard limit position to limit axialcompression of the spring member.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, apush to connect fitting includes a first fitting component having anoutboard end that is adapted to receive a conduit end and a secondfitting component joined to the first fitting component to define aninterior cavity. A sealing arrangement is disposed in the interiorcavity to seal one of the first and second fitting components with anouter surface of a conduit end when the conduit end is inserted into theoutboard end of the first fitting component. A conduit grippingarrangement is disposed in the interior cavity. A conduit colletingarrangement is disposed in the interior cavity outboard of the conduitgripping arrangement. A spring member is disposed between the conduitgripping arrangement and the sealing arrangement to bias the conduitgripping arrangement in an outboard direction toward a conduit grippingposition. The sealing arrangement is configured to apply a fluidpressure driven load to the conduit colleting arrangement withoutapplying a fluid pressure driven load to the conduit grippingarrangement.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, apush to connect fitting includes a first fitting component having anoutboard end that is adapted to receive a conduit end, a second fittingcomponent joined to the first fitting component to define an interiorcavity, and a sealing arrangement and conduit retaining arrangementdisposed in the interior cavity. The sealing arrangement includes a sealmember that seals the first fitting component with an outer surface of aconduit end when the conduit end is inserted into the outboard end ofthe first fitting component. The conduit retaining arrangement includesan annular retainer body and a plurality of conduit gripping membersretained in a plurality of cavities in the retainer body. Each of theplurality of conduit gripping members comprises an oblong member havinga central longitudinal axis that extends tangent to an outercircumference of the annular retainer body.

These and additional aspects and embodiments of the inventions will beunderstood by those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the exemplary embodiments in view of the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting,shown assembled with a conduit end, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the push to connect fitting ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a retainer body and gripping membersfor a push to connect fitting, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the retainer body andgripping members of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a retaining arrangement for a push toconnect fitting, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the retainer body of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retaining arrangement for a push toconnect fitting, according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the retainer body of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a retaining arrangement for a push toconnect fitting, according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a retaining arrangement for a push toconnect fitting, according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting,shown assembled with a conduit end, according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting,shown assembled with a conduit end, according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting,shown assembled with a conduit end, according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting,shown assembled with a conduit end, according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the retaining arrangement of the pushto connect fitting of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting,shown assembled with a conduit end, according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure, shown in an unpressurizedcondition;

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting ofFIG. 11 , shown in a pressurized condition;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the push toconnect fitting of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the retainer body and colleting ring ofthe push to connect fitting of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting,shown assembled with a conduit end and with a conduit releasing inserttool, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the conduit releasing insert tool ofFIG. 15 ;

FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of another push to connectfitting, shown assembled with a conduit end and with a conduit releasinginsert tool, according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the conduit releasing insert tool ofFIG. 16 ;

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of another conduit releasing insert tool,according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17B is a perspective view of a conduit releasing tool, according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a conduit end preparation tool,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18B is a partial front view of the conduit end preparation tool ofFIG. 18A;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an exemplary groove forming and conduitmarking roller for a conduit end preparation tool;

FIG. 19A is a side view of an exemplary groove forming roller for aconduit end preparation tool;

FIG. 19B is a side view of an exemplary conduit marking roller for aconduit end preparation tool;

FIG. 20 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a conduit endpreparation tool, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a push to connectfitting assembled with a conduit prepared to include a gripping memberengaging groove and an insertion depth indicating marking, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end in an unpressurized condition,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting of FIG.22 , shown assembled with a grooved conduit end in a pressurizedcondition;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting of FIG.22 , shown with a grooved conduit end partially installed in thefitting;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting of FIG.22 , shown assembled with a grooved conduit end and with a conduitremoval tool for removal of the conduit end;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the push to connect fittingof FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end in an unpressurized condition,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view of a grooved conduit end, grippingring, and colleting ring arrangement, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view of a grooved conduit end, grippingring, and colleting ring arrangement, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28C is a cross-sectional view of a grooved conduit end, grippingring, and colleting ring arrangement, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28D is a cross-sectional view of a grooved conduit end, grippingring, and colleting ring arrangement, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end in an unpressurized condition,according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29B is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end in an unpressurized condition,according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29C is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end in an unpressurized condition,according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end in an unpressurized condition,according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30A is a cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting ofFIG. 30 , shown assembled with a conduit releasing insert tool,according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end in an unpressurized condition,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31A is a perspective view of the conduit retaining ring of the pushto connect fitting of FIG. 31 ;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting of FIG.31 , shown with a grooved conduit end partially installed in thefitting;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting of FIG.31 , shown assembled with a grooved conduit end in a pressurizedcondition;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting of FIG.31 , shown assembled with a conduit removal tool for removal of theconduit end;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end in an unpressurized condition,according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end in an unpressurized condition,according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting of FIG.36 , shown assembled with a grooved conduit end in a pressurizedcondition;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a push to connect fitting, shownassembled with a grooved conduit end, with the fitting nut adjusted to aconduit insertion position, according to another exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the push to connect fitting of FIG.38 , shown with the fitting nut adjusted to an installed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Herein, the terms fitting and fitting assembly are used interchangeably.In various exemplary embodiments, a fitting assembly structure as taughtherein is separately claimed as an invention without requiring theconduit to be part of the fitting assembly, and further withoutrequiring that the various parts be in a fully assembled condition (suchas may be the case, for example, of the assembly parts being shippedfrom a manufacturer or distributor). In at least one embodiment, afitting assembly includes a first fitting component or subassemblyhaving a conduit sealing arrangement and a second fitting component orsubassembly having a conduit retaining arrangement. In any of theembodiments described herein, the conduit does not require treatment ormodification from stock condition, although optionally such may be doneif needed in particular applications. For example, it is common for theconduit end to be cut substantially perpendicular to the conduitlongitudinal axis and deburred as needed, but even these common stepsare optional and not required to achieve conduit grip and fluid tightseal. By stock condition is meant that the conduit may be a conventionalhollow right cylinder having a cylindrical inner surface that may beexposed to fluid (for example, liquid, gas or other flowable material)contained by the conduit, and a cylindrical outer surface, with a wallthickness defined as the difference between the inner diameter and theouter diameter of the conduit. The conduit may be made of any material,is preferably metal, and more preferably is a stainless steel alloy, butthe inventions are not limited to these exemplary materials and otheralternative materials may be used as needed for particular applications.Although traditional hollow cylindrical conduits are preferred, otherconduit shapes and geometry may alternatively be used for either theouter wall or inner wall or both walls of the conduit. The word conduitherein refers to traditional tube and pipe but also includes otherhollow fluid carrying structures that might be referred to by anotherword other than tube or pipe.

We also use the terms inboard and outboard for reference purposes only.By inboard we mean towards the center or closed end of the fittingassembly or fitting component along the reference axis, and by outboardwe mean away from the center or towards the open end of the fittingassembly or fitting component along the reference axis.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventionsmay be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination inthe exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and featuresmay be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or invarious combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expresslyexcluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intendedto be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, whilevarious alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts andfeatures of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures,configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software,hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, andso on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to bea complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments,whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art mayreadily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or featuresinto additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the presentinventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein.Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of theinventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement ormethod, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature isrequired or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further,exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assistin understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and rangesare not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to becritical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Parametersidentified as “approximate” or “about” a specified value are intended toinclude both the specified value and values within 10% of the specifiedvalue, unless expressly stated otherwise. Further, it is to beunderstood that the drawings accompanying the present disclosure may,but need not, be to scale, and therefore may be understood as teachingvarious ratios and proportions evident in the drawings. Moreover, whilevarious aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identifiedherein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, suchidentification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may beinventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described hereinwithout being expressly identified as such or as part of a specificinvention, the inventions instead being set forth in the appendedclaims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limitedto inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is theorder that the steps are presented to be construed as required ornecessary unless expressly so stated.

The present disclosure describes exemplary fitting assemblies thatprovide for or allow push to connect operation, including, for example,single action push to connect operation. By single action is meant thata conduit, and in particular the end portion of the conduit end, can beinserted into the fitting assembly with a single dimensional ordirectional movement or action, and when fully inserted the conduit issealed against fluid pressure and is retained in position. The axialinsertion may be performed manually or by a tool or machine. By push toconnect is meant that the single action may be a simple axial movementor push along the longitudinal axis of the conduit and that this singleaction may be the only action needed to complete the mechanicalconnection between the conduit and the fitting assembly, with nosubsequent or additional motion or action needed to complete themechanical connection and fluid tight seal. In an exemplary embodiment,the single directional action or movement is an axial movement along alongitudinal axis of the conduit, with no other or additional orsubsequent manual or tool action or movement of the fitting assemblycomponents needed to achieve conduit seal and retention. Thus, a singleaction push to connect fitting is distinguished from a traditionalfitting assembly that typically is pulled-up or tightened to effectconduit grip and seal by relative movement of the fitting assemblycomponents after insertion of the conduit; for example, a body and a nutthat are joined by a threaded mechanical connection and pulled-up byrelative rotation of the body and nut, or by being clamped togetherwithout a threaded mechanical connection. In other embodiments, anadditional, non-pull up operation may be utilized to complete theconnection.

Herein, the terms axis or axial and derivative forms thereof refer to alongitudinal axis along which a conduit C will be inserted and retained.Reference to radial and radial direction and derivative terms also arerelative to the axis unless otherwise noted. In the illustratedembodiments, the axis may be the central longitudinal axis of theconduit C which also may but need not correspond with or be coaxial withthe central longitudinal axis of the fitting assembly. The conduit C maybe any conduit that defines a flow path for system fluid that iscontained by the conduit C and the fitting. The inventions andembodiments described herein are particularly suitable for metal conduitsuch as metal pipe or tube, however, non-metal conduits may also be usedas needed. The conduit C may have any range of diameter size, forexample, 1/16th inch or less to 3 inches or greater in diameter and maybe in metric or fractional sizes. The conduit C may also have any rangeof wall thickness that allows for an axial insertion into the fittingassembly.

The fitting assembly may include two discrete sections or subassemblies,for example, to retain one or more gripping, sealing, and/or colletingcomponents therein or therebetween. In an embodiment, the fittingassembly may include a first fitting component or subassembly and asecond fitting component or subassembly. The first fitting component andthe second fitting component may be joinable or mate together in anymanner suitable for the application or use of the fitting assembly. Forexample, the first fitting component and the second fitting componentmay be joinable together using a threaded mechanical connection. Manyother mechanical connections may alternatively be used, including butnot limited to a clamped connection or bolted connection or crimpedconnection, to name three examples, or non-mechanical connections may beused, for example, a weldment.

Exemplary push to connect fitting assemblies are described in co-ownedU.S. Pat. No. 10,458,582 (the “'582 Patent”), the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

In several of the push to connect fitting assemblies of the aboveincorporated '582 Patent, fluid pressure acts against a seal memberwhich axially applies, through glands and backup rings, an outward loador biasing force against a retainer body or retainer body, to bias thegripping portion (e.g., balls or other discrete gripping members) towardgripping engagement with the conduit, and to bias the colleting portiontoward colleting engagement with the conduit. In some such applications,where the biasing spring is disposed axially between the sealingarrangement (e.g., the gland of the sealing arrangement) and theretainer body, the fluid pressure may be sufficient to fully compress abiasing spring, which may result in overstressing of the spring and/or apermanent set of the spring, potentially affecting service life of thespring. Additionally, the extended, and potentially inconsistent rangeof compression of the spring may require that the gland be provided withan elongated inboard nose portion (and that the fitting be provided withan elongated space to accommodate this nose portion), to ensure that thesoft components of the sealing arrangement (e.g., O-rings and back-uprings) remain in the seal retaining counterbore.

According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a push toconnect fitting assembly may be adapted to axially fix the outermostcomponent of the sealing arrangement (e.g., the gland) to prevent fluidpressure driven compression of the spring. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate anexemplary push to connect fitting 100 having a male threaded body 184and a female threaded nut 188 assembled to enclose a retainingarrangement 120 and a sealing arrangement 140, and to receive a conduitend C for retention (e.g., gripping and colleting retention) by theretaining arrangement and sealing engagement with the fitting, via thesealing arrangement.

The exemplary retaining arrangement 120 includes a retainer body orcarrier 130 defining cavities 122 that receive conduit gripping members144 and a biasing member 108 (e.g., coil spring). In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , the conduit gripping members are discrete sphericalballs retained in the cavities 122. In other embodiments, other shapesof conduit gripping members may be utilized. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustratean alternative embodiment of a retainer body 130′ having cavities 122′that receive oblong conduit gripping members 144′, arranged such that acentral longitudinal axis of each gripping member extends tangent to anouter circumference of the annular retainer body. In the illustratedexample, the oblong conduit gripping members 144′ are generallycylindrical or barrel-shaped, with an outer surface having a convexlongitudinal profile. The barrel-shaped gripping members 144′ may, forexample, reduce indentation or deformation of the conduit by provided anextended contact surface (as compared to a spherical ball).Additionally, if the installed conduit end is subjected to twisting orrotational forces, the barrel-shaped gripping members 144′ may tend tocant radially outward, effectively increasing the radial span of thegripping members to resist rotation of the conduit within the fitting.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the exemplary sealing arrangement 140includes a gland 190, backup rings 192, 194, and a seal member 196(e.g., O-ring or other such gasket). The exemplary gland 190 includes anoutwardly protruding end 191 that is secured between an inner lip orshoulder 186 of the nut 188 and an end portion 185 of the body 184 toaxially fix the gland 190, thereby preventing fluid pressure drivencompression of the spring 108. Due to this fixed condition, an inboardnose portion 199 of the gland may be shortened, and the counterborereceiving the nose portion 199, backup rings 192, 194 and seal member196 may also be shortened.

The exemplary retainer body 130 positions and retains the grippingmembers 144 in axial alignment with a tapered surface 118 formed in thefemale threaded nut 188, and radially between the tapered surface andthe outer surface of the inserted conduit C. The retainer body 130includes at a first end a flange 131 that faces inboard to engage withthe biasing member 108. The biasing member 108 is positioned incompression between the flange 131 and an outboard facing surface 193 ofthe gland 190. The gland 190 presents an inboard facing end surface 195that engages one or more seal backing ring 192, 194 disposed between thegland 190 and an inner seal 196, which may be realized in the form of anO-ring for example.

We refer to this configuration as an embodiment of an inverted colletinggripping member lock concept because the biasing member 108 applies anaxial force against the retainer body 130 to engage the gripping members144 with the tapered surface 118 without placing an axial load on theinner seal 196 and minimizing radial interference between the conduit Cand the inner seal 196 which could otherwise cause damage to the seal,for example during conduit insertion.

The exemplary retainer body 130 may also provide a colleting function.As shown, the retainer body 130 may include an annular body portionhaving a plurality of preferably circumferentially evenly spacedflexible members 106 that extend axially from the flange 131 and withaxial slots 107 therebetween. These flexible members 106 preferablyextend in a cantilevered fashion from the flange 131 so as to haveradial flexibility. At the distal end of each flexible member 106 is atab 110 having a radially outer tab land or end portion 111, and aradially inner colleting surface 112 positioned to make direct contactwith the outside surface of the conduit C as further described below.Because the retainer body is annular, each flexible member 106 may havea curvature that coincides with the overall annular shape of theretainer body. Therefore, preferably but not necessarily, each colletingsurface 112 is a curved surface that preferably but not necessarilycoincides with the curvature of the conduit C, at least when the land111 is radially pressed against the conduit outer surface.

The tab colleting surfaces 112 provide the conduit colleting function ata position that is axially between the source of vibration and flexureinto the conduit and the stress locations for the gripping members 144gripping and indenting into the conduit C. It will be noted that thetabs 110 become wedged between the tapered surface 118 and the outersurface of the conduit C and radially compressed against the conduitouter surface. This colleting function provides conduit support,isolation or reduction of the conduit vibration and flexure, and reducesor limits additional indentation of the gripping members 144 into theconduit C.

When under pressure, the pressurized fluid applies an axial load againstthe conduit end C which places an axial load on the retainer body 130.In the unpressurized condition, there may be a small radial gap betweenthe tab lands 111 and the tapered surface 118, and/or a small radial gapbetween the tab colleting surfaces 112 and the conduit C. Underpressure, the gripping members 144 indent into the conduit surfaceallows the retainer body 130 to shift axially slightly so that the tabs110 contact the tapered surface 118 and begin to collet against theconduit outer surface. The colleting action restrains further axialmovement of the retainer body 130, supports the conduit, adds rigidityto the fitting assembly 100 and isolates or reduces the effects ofvibration and flexure of the conduit on the stress regions of thegripping members 144 against the conduit C.

Other retainer body or carrier arrangement may additionally oralternatively be utilized. According to another aspect of the presentdisclosure, a multiple section retainer body may include sections thatare circumferentially spaced from each other by longitudinal gaps, suchthat the sections may be more readily flexed radially inward, ascompared to tabs cantilevered from an integral circumferential base ringof a carrier or retainer body. FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate an exemplaryretainer body 130 a having a plurality of arcuate segments 132 a eachhaving a gripping member retaining web portion 133 a (including openings173 a for retaining gripping members) extending between an inboardflange portion 131 a and an outboard colleting tab portion 135 a. Asupport ring 141 a is received in a recessed portion 171 a of theinboard flange 131 a with tabs 142 a extending between the adjacentsegments 132 a, to maintain a radial expanded position andcircumferential spacing of the inboard flange portions 131 a. A splitring 145 a is received in a recessed portion 175 a of the colleting tabs135 a to allow for radial contraction of the colleting tabs against aninstalled conduit when the retainer body 130 a is biased against thetapered surface of a fitting nut (e.g., the fitting nut 188 of FIG. 1 ).The retainer body 130 a may be installed in a male configuration fitting(e.g., any of the exemplary male configuration fittings described hereinor in the above-incorporated '582 Patent), in a female configurationfitting (e.g., any of the exemplary female configuration fittingsdescribed herein or in the above-incorporated '582 Patent), or in afitting having non-threaded (e.g., crimped) components.

The retainer body segments 132 a may be produced using any of a varietyof suitable methods, including, for example, stamping, powderedmetallurgy (PM), metal injection molding (MIM), and additivemanufacturing. As shown, the retainer body segments 132 a may have asubstantially constant cross-sectional thickness to facilitatemanufacture from strip or sheet metal (e.g., by bending an inboard endto form the inboard flange portion 131 a, and by bending an outboard endto form a raised portion of the colleting tab 135 a for engagement withthe tapered surface of the fitting). While the exemplary retainer body130 a includes three segments 132 a each configured to retain twogripping members, any suitable number of retainer body segments may beutilized to retain any suitable number of gripping members.

FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate another embodiment of a retainer body 130 bhaving a plurality of arcuate segments 132 b each having a grippingmember retaining web portion 133 b (including openings 173 b forretaining gripping members) extending between an inboard flanged tabportion 131 b and an outboard colleting tab portion 135 b. A supportcollar 141 b includes an annular recess 171 b that receives andinterlocks with the flanged tab portions 131 b, to provide radial andaxial positioning of the inboard ends of the retainer body segments 132b, while permitting radial contraction of the colleting tabs 135 bagainst an installed conduit when the retainer body 130 b is biasedagainst the tapered surface of the fitting. The edges of the arcuatesegments may be angled inwardly, to ensure gaps between the adjacentsegments at the tab portions. While a tab end reinforcing split ring(e.g., similar to split ring 145 a) may be included to outwardly biasthe colleting tabs (not shown), in some embodiments, the flanged tabportions 131 b may be tightly received in the collar recess 171 b, suchthat the retainer body segments 132 b resist radial inward movement. Theretainer body segments 132 b may be produced using any of a variety ofsuitable methods, including, for example, stamping, powdered metallurgy(PM), metal injection molding (MIM), and additive manufacturing. Theretainer body 130 b may be installed in a male configuration fitting(e.g., any of the exemplary male configuration fittings described hereinor in the above-incorporated '582 Patent), in a female configurationfitting (e.g., any of the exemplary female configuration fittingsdescribed herein or in the above-incorporated '582 Patent), or in afitting having non-threaded (e.g., crimped) components. As shown, theretainer body segments 132 b may have a substantially constantcross-sectional thickness to facilitate manufacture from strip or sheetmetal (e.g., by bending an inboard end to form the flanged tabs 131 b,and by bending an outboard end to form a raised portion of the colletingtab 135 b for engagement with the tapered surface of the fitting). Whilethe exemplary retainer body 130 b includes four segments 132 b eachconfigured to retain three gripping members, any suitable number ofretainer body segments may be utilized to retain any suitable number ofgripping members.

As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 3A, 4, and 4A, the retainer bodysegments 132 a, 132 b may provide colleting tab portions 135 a, 135 bthat extend along substantially the entire arcuate length of thesegment, thereby providing for increased surface contact with thecolleted conduit, as compared, for example, to a ring of discreteconduit engaging components, such as balls, generally cylindrical (e.g.,barrel-shaped) members, or flexing fingers. In other embodiments, asingle piece retainer body may be provided with segmented portionsproviding similar elongated colleting tab portions. FIG. 5 illustratesan exemplary single piece retainer body 130 c having a continuouscircumferential inboard flange portion 131 c and cantilevered arcuateretainer body segments 132 c extending outboard from the flange portion,each including a gripping member retaining web portion 133 c (includingopenings 173 c for retaining gripping members) extending to an outboardcolleting tab portion 135 c. The segments 132 c are circumferentiallyspaced by slots 134 c having a width and length selected to permitsufficient flexible contraction of the tab portions 135 c against aninstalled conduit when the retainer body 130 c is biased against thetapered surface of the fitting. The retainer body 130 c may be installedin a male configuration fitting (e.g., any of the exemplary maleconfiguration fittings described herein or in the above-incorporated'582 Patent), in a female configuration fitting (e.g., any of theexemplary female configuration fittings described herein or in theabove-incorporated '582 Patent), or in a fitting having non-threaded(e.g., crimped) components. The retainer body 130 c may be producedusing any of a variety of suitable methods, including, for example, deepdrawing or forming, powdered metallurgy (PM), metal injection molding(MIM), and additive manufacturing. As shown, the retainer body 130 c mayhave a substantially constant cross-sectional thickness to facilitatemanufacture by deep drawing or forming (e.g., by bending an inboard endto form the inboard flange portion 131 c, and by bending an outboard endto form a raised portion of the colleting tab 135 c for engagement withthe tapered surface of the fitting). While the exemplary retainer body130 c includes four segments 132 c each configured to retain threegripping members, any suitable number of retainer body segments may beutilized to retain any suitable number of gripping members.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a retainer bodywith segmented colleting tabs may be formed as a split ring, therebyproviding for colleting contraction of the tabs both by radial flexingcontraction of each tab, and by reduction of the split ring diameter(i.e., by narrowing the gap in the split ring). FIG. 6 illustrates anexemplary single piece retainer body 130 d, split to define a gap 136 dand having an inboard flange portion 131 d and cantilevered arcuateretainer body segments 132 d extending outboard from the flange portion,each including a gripping member retaining web portion 133 d (includingopenings 173 d for retaining gripping members) extending to an outboardcolleting tab portion 135 d. The segments 132 d are circumferentiallyspaced by slots 134 d having a width and length selected, in combinationwith the width of the gap 136 d, to permit sufficient flexiblecontraction of the tab portions 135 d against an installed conduit whenthe retainer body 130 d is biased against the tapered surface of thefitting. The retainer body 130 d may be installed in a maleconfiguration fitting (e.g., any of the exemplary male configurationfittings described herein or in the above-incorporated '582 Patent), ina female configuration fitting (e.g., any of the exemplary femaleconfiguration fittings described herein or in the above-incorporated'582 Patent), or in a fitting having non-threaded (e.g., crimped)components. The retainer body 130 d may be produced using any of avariety of suitable methods, including, for example, stamping and rollforming, powdered metallurgy (PM), metal injection molding (MIM), andadditive manufacturing. As shown, the retainer body 130 d may have asubstantially constant cross-sectional thickness to facilitatemanufacture from strip or sheet metal (e.g., by bending an inboard endto form the flange portion 131 d, by bending an outboard end to form araised portion of the colleting tabs 135 d for engagement with thetapered surface of the fitting, and roll forming the bent strip).

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an O-ring seal orother soft seal in a push to connect fitting may be installed betweenbackup rings at least one of the backup rings having a tapered (e.g.,frustoconical) end surface contoured to shield and improve retention ofthe O-ring during conduit insertion, by creating a dovetail groove inwhich the O-ring is disposed. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary maleconfiguration push to connect fitting 200, similar to the fitting 100 ofFIGS. 1-2 (with like components having similar reference numbers) havingbackup rings 292, 294 with frustoconical end surfaces forming a dovetailgroove in which the O-ring seal member 296 is disposed. As shown, thebackup rings 292, 294 may be symmetrical to facilitate installation, andthe gland 290 may have a conical rear surface to mate with the frontbackup ring 292. FIG. 8 illustrates a similar exemplary femaleconfiguration fitting 300 having backup rings 392, 394 withfrustoconical end surfaces (e.g., about 10°-20° degree frustoconicaltapered surfaces) forming a dovetail groove in which the O-ring sealmember 396 is disposed.

In another exemplary embodiment, a push to connect fitting may beprovided with a floating gland that is adapted to limit axialcompression of the biasing spring, for example, by engaging the retainerbody when the biasing spring is in a partially compressed condition,thereby preventing further compression of the spring. FIG. 9 illustratesan exemplary push to connect fitting 400 including a male threaded body484 and a female threaded nut 488 assembled to define an internal cavityretaining a retainer body 430, biasing spring 408, and sealingarrangement 440, which includes a gland 490, backup ring 492, and sealmember 496. The gland 490 includes an outboard tail portion 497 thatextends axially through the biasing spring 408. When the installedfitting 400 is pressurized, fluid pressure axially forces the sealingarrangement 440 in an outboard direction, such that the gland tailportion 497 engages an inboard end of the retainer body 430. This limitsspring compression to a predetermined length corresponding to the axialgap between the spring engaging surfaces of the retainer body 430 andthe gland 490. Upon engagement of the retainer body with the gland,additional fluid pressure may provide additional axial force against theretainer body for increased gripping and colleting. Because the axialmovement of the gland 490 is limited by the tail portion 497, an inboardnose portion 499 of the gland may be shortened, and the counterborereceiving the nose portion 499, backup ring 492 and seal member 496 mayalso be shortened. While the gland 490 is shown as being installed in amale configuration fitting 400, in other embodiments, a similararrangement may be provided in a fitting having a female threaded bodyand a male threaded nut (a “female configuration”), such as any of theexemplary female configuration fittings described herein or in theabove-incorporated '582 Patent, or in a fitting having non-threaded(e.g., crimped) components.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a push to connectfitting (e.g., any of the exemplary push to connect fittings describedherein or in the above-incorporated '582 Patent) may include a retainerbody or retainer body provided in combination with a separate colletingring, such as, for example, a colleting split ring. By providing thecolleting ring as a separate component from the retainer body, thecolleting ring and retainer body may be provided in differentmaterials—for example, a higher tensile strength material for thecolleting ring and a lower strength material for the retainer body. Insuch an embodiment, an outboard end of the retainer body engages aninboard end of the colleting ring to axially force the colleting ringagainst a tapered surface in the fitting (e.g., about 8°-16° taper withrespect to the central axis), to contract the colleting ring intocolleting engagement with the inserted conduit. FIG. 10 illustrates anexemplary push to connect fitting 500 including a single piece retainerbody 530 in combination with a split colleting ring 535 (as also shownin FIG. 10A). The retainer body 530 includes a continuouscircumferential inboard flange portion 531 extending to acircumferentially continuous gripping member retaining web portion 533(including openings 573 for retaining gripping members 544). Thecolleting ring 535 is split to define a gap 536, sized to permit radialcontraction of the colleting ring against an installed conduit when thecolleting ring is axially forced against the tapered surface 518 of thefitting 500. When the colleting ring 535 and retainer body 530 areaxially forced away from the tapered surface 518 (e.g., by a releasetool), the elastic spring forces in the colleting ring (which may beincreased by the use of a high tensile strength material for thecolleting ring) cause the colleting ring to radially expand for releaseof the inserted conduit. As shown, engaging surfaces 534, 537 of theretainer body 530 and colleting ring 535 may have complementarycontoured tapers to facilitate concentric alignment of the retainer bodyand colleting ring as biased by the spring 508. While the retainer body530 and colleting ring 535 are shown in FIG. 10 as being installed in afitting 500 having a male threaded body 584 and a female threaded nut588 (a “male configuration”), in other embodiments, the retainer bodymay be installed in a female configuration fitting (e.g., any of theexemplary female configuration fittings described herein or in theabove-incorporated '582 Patent), or in a fitting having non-threaded(e.g., crimped) components.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a push to connectfitting may be provided with a conduit gripping and colletingarrangement that provides for spring loading of the gripping member(s)and independent fluid pressure driven loading of the colletingmember(s). In one such embodiment, a retainer body may be configured toprovide for retraction of the conduit gripping members during release ofthe conduit (e.g., by inserting a tool as described herein) withoutapplying a fluid driven load to the gripping members through theretainer body, by retaining the gripping members in elongated holes orslots in the retainer body. The fitting may include a floating glandthat applies a fluid driven load, through the retainer body, to thecolleting member.

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate an exemplary push to connect fitting 600including a male threaded body 684 and a female threaded nut 688assembled to define an internal cavity retaining a split colleting ring635 (which may function similar to the split colleting ring of FIGS. 10and 10A), a retainer body 630, spacer ring 607, biasing spring 608, andsealing arrangement 640, which includes a gland 690, backup ring 692,and seal member 696. The retainer body 630 includes elongated slots 633that receive gripping members 644. The gland 690 includes an outboardtail portion 697 that extends axially through the biasing spring 608.When the conduit C is installed, prior to pressurization, the spring 608biases spacer ring 607 into engagement with the gripping members 644, toload the gripping members against the fitting nut taper 618 for grippingengagement of the conduit. When the installed fitting 600 ispressurized, fluid pressure axially forces the sealing arrangement 640in an outboard direction, such that the gland tail portion 697 engagesan inboard end of the retainer body 630. Because the gripping memberretaining slots 633 extend to the axially inward edge of the retainerbody, the retainer body 630 is axially forced against the colleting ring635 to load the colleting ring, without applying a load directly to thegripping members 644. Outward movement of the gland 690 does howeverfurther compress the spring 608 to increase the spring load on thegripping members. This arrangement may provide a greater tolerance rangefor manufacturing, with reduced sensitivity of the timing of conduitgripping relative to the colleting function so as to not inhibitgripping member movement and loading resulting from the nut taper bycontact and wedging of the colleting feature of the retainer bodybetween the conduit and nut. As shown, the gland 690 may, but need not,include an outwardly protruding end 691 that engages an end portion 685of the body 684, for example, to provide an increased minimum springload while limiting compression of the seal member.

While the colleting ring 635 is shown as a separate component from theretainer body 630 (and may include contoured engaging surfaces asdescribed in the fitting of FIG. 10 ), in other embodiments, thecolleting portion may be integrated into the retainer body while stillproviding for independent spring loading of the gripping members andfluid pressure loading of the colleting portion. Additionally, while theconduit retaining arrangement is shown as being installed in a maleconfiguration fitting 600, in other embodiments, a similar arrangementmay be provided in a fitting having a female threaded body and a malethreaded nut (a “female configuration”), such as any of the exemplaryfemale configuration fittings described herein, or in a fitting havingnon-threaded (e.g., crimped) components.

When a conduit is installed in a push to connect fitting, such as, forexample, any of the exemplary push to connect fittings described herein,an axial force is applied to the conduit to axially move the conduitretaining arrangement (e.g., retainer body) in an inboard direction,such that the gripping and/or colleting members disengage from thetapered internal surface of the fitting to permit radial expansion ofthe gripping and/or colleting members sufficient to allow the conduit tobe inserted therethrough. In some applications, the axial force requiredto fully insert the conduit may be significant. Additionally,installation of two ends of a conduit into two push to connect fittings(e.g., a conduit having a U-bend) may be difficult, due to the fittings'tendency to grip a partially inserted conduit end, thereby resistingminor adjustments to the insertion depth. According to an exemplaryaspect of the present disclosure, a removable conduit releasing tool orinsert may be assembled with a push to connect fitting to hold theretaining arrangement in a conduit releasing condition. When a conduitend has been inserted into the fitting past the conduit retainingarrangement to a desired installed position, the conduit releasinginsert may be removed from the fitting, allowing the spring biasedretaining arrangement to move to a conduit retaining condition.

In one such embodiment, the conduit releasing insert includes areleasing feature (e.g., a tab, rib, or other such extension) and afitting interlocking feature (e.g., radially flexible fingers or tabs)that removably assembles with the fitting to hold the releasing featurein releasing engagement with a spring biased portion of a conduitretaining arrangement of the fitting. When a conduit end has beeninserted into the fitting past the conduit retaining arrangement to adesired installed position, the conduit releasing insert is removed fromthe fitting to disengage the releasing feature from the spring biasedportion of the conduit retaining arrangement, allowing the spring biasedretaining arrangement to move to a conduit retaining condition. Further,to remove the installed conduit end from the fitting, the insert may bereassembled with the fitting, thereby re-engaging the releasing featurewith the spring biased portion of the conduit retaining arrangement tomove the spring biased retaining arrangement to the conduit releasingcondition.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary push to connect fitting 700 with aninstalled conduit releasing insert 750, permitting free insertion andremoval of a conduit end C. The exemplary fitting 700 is similar to thefitting 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes a male threaded body 784 and afemale threaded nut 788 assembled to define an internal cavity retaininga retainer body 730, biasing spring 708, and sealing arrangement 740,which includes a gland 790, backup rings 792, 794, and seal member 796.The conduit releasing insert 750 includes a releasing extension 751 thatis inserted into the nut 788 and into engagement with the retainer body730, thereby axially forcing the retainer body against the spring 708 toa conduit releasing position. An interlocking flange portion 752 of theinsert 750 extends over an end portion of the nut 788 and snaps intogripping engagement with a circumferential groove 789 in the nut endportion, thereby securing the insert 750 to the nut, and securing thereleasing extension 751 against the retainer body 730 to hold theretainer body in the conduit releasing condition. As shown in FIG. 15A,the interlocking flange portion 752 may be segmented (e.g., by one ormore slots 753) to increase elastic radial flexibility.

When a conduit end C has been inserted into the fitting nut 788 andthrough the retainer body 730 and sealing arrangement 740 to a desiredinstalled position, the insert 750 may be removed from the nut byflexing the interlocking flange 752 out of engagement with the nutgroove 789, thereby withdrawing the releasing extension 751 from the nutand permitting the spring biased retainer body 730 to be moved by thebiasing spring 708 to a conduit gripping position. Further, to removethe installed conduit end C from the fitting 700, the insert 750 may bereassembled with the fitting (i.e., by re-engaging the interlockingflanges 752 with the nut groove 789, thereby re-engaging the releasingextension 751 with the spring biased retainer body 730 to move theretainer body to the conduit releasing condition. As shown in FIG. 15A,the insert 750 may include an opening 755 sized to permit installationand remove of the insert past an inserted conduit end.

A similar conduit releasing insert may likewise be utilized with anypush to connect fitting for which a spring biased conduit retainingarrangement grips an inserted conduit end, including, for example, themale configuration and female configuration push to connect fittingsdescribed herein. FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary female configurationpush to connect fitting 800 with an installed conduit releasing insert850, permitting free insertion and removal of a conduit end C. Theexemplary fitting 800 is similar to the fitting 300 of FIG. 8 andincludes a female threaded body 884 and a male threaded nut 888assembled to define an internal cavity retaining a retainer body 830,biasing spring 808, and sealing arrangement 840, which includes a gland890, backup rings 892, 894, and seal member 896. The conduit releasinginsert 850 includes a releasing extension 851 that is inserted into thenut 888 and into engagement with the retainer body 830, thereby axiallyforcing the retainer body against the spring 808 to a conduit releasingposition. An interlocking rib 852 of the insert 850 is inserted intoengagement with an ID groove 889 in the nut end portion, therebysecuring the insert 850 to the nut, and securing the releasing extension851 against the retainer body 830 to hold the retainer body in theconduit releasing condition. As shown in FIG. 17 , the interlockingflange portion 852 may be segmented (e.g., by one or more slots 853) toincrease elastic radial flexibility. FIG. 17A shown an alternativeconduit releasing insert 850 a with an unsegmented flange portion 852 a.

When a conduit end C has been inserted into the fitting nut 888 andthrough the retainer body 830 and sealing arrangement 840 to a desiredinstalled position, the insert 850 may be removed from the nut byflexing the interlocking rib 852 out of engagement with the nut groove889 (e.g., by pulling on outer disc portion 856 of the insert 850),thereby withdrawing the releasing extension 851 from the nut andpermitting the spring biased retainer body 830 to be moved by thebiasing spring 808 to a conduit gripping position. Further, to removethe installed conduit end C from the fitting 800, the insert 850 may bereassembled with the fitting (i.e., by re-engaging the interlocking rib852 with the nut groove 889), thereby re-engaging the releasingextension 851 with the spring biased retainer body 830 to move theretainer body to the conduit releasing condition. As shown in FIG. 17 ,the insert 850 may include an opening 855 sized to permit installationand removal of the insert past an inserted conduit end. In otherembodiments, a male configuration fitting may include a nut having asimilar ID groove for interlocking engagement with a conduit releasingtool.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17B, a separate wrench-style tool850 b, having a releasing extension 851 b, may additionally oralternatively be used to release an inserted conduit from grippingengagement by the push to connect fitting retaining arrangement.

The push to connect fittings described above, and in the aboveincorporated '582 Patent, may use a conduit that has a smooth hollowcylindrical geometry. In other arrangements, the conduit mayalternatively have a groove or recess formed in the outer surface of theconduit wall at an axial position that aligns with the conduit grippingmembers such as the spherical balls or oblong (e.g., cylindrical orbarrel-shaped) bearings. The groove or recess can in some applicationsenhance the conduit grip by the conduit gripping members because thegripping members will not have to be forced to indent into the conduitsurface. Engagement of the conduit gripping members with the conduitgroove may also provide a detectable positive indication of fullinsertion or installation of the conduit in the fitting assembly. Thecolleting action of the colleting portion against the outer surface ofthe conduit, outboard of the groove, reduces stress concentrations atthe conduit groove, which may otherwise result from vibration or flexureof the conduit outboard of the groove. Exemplary conduit grooves G areillustrated in phantom in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, and 16 .

A grip-enhancing conduit groove may be formed in a variety of manners.According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a clamp-style rollinghand tool with a groove-forming roller may be utilized to form thegroove, similar to known clamp-style tube cutting hand tools. FIGS. 18Aand 18B illustrate an exemplary conduit end preparing tool 50 includinga body 51 rotationally supporting a groove forming roller 60, a grippingmember 53 slideably mounted to the body for engagement of conduitengaging rollers 54 with a conduit C inserted between the groove formingroller 60 and the conduit engaging rollers, and a clamping member 55(e.g., threaded bolt) threadably retained with the body 51 andadjustable (by rotating handle 52) for clamping engagement with thegripping member 53 to clamp the inserted conduit C between the grooveforming roller 60 and the conduit engaging rollers 54. By incrementallytightening the clamping member 55 and rotating the tool 50 about theconduit C, an annular rib 61 on the groove-forming roller 60 forms acircumferential groove G in the conduit C. As best shown in FIG. 19 ,the groove forming roller 60 may include a depth control surface 62 onthe outboard side of the rib 61, dimensioned to engage the surface ofthe conduit C, and produce increased resistance and/or slightburnishing, when the groove has reached a desired depth, and/or a reliefsurface 63 on the inboard side of the rib, dimensioned to permitmaterial displacement to the outboard side of the rib. In otherembodiments, a groove forming roller may be provided with a depthcontrol surface on the inboard side of the rib, and/or a relief surfaceon the outboard side of the rib.

As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, a positioning bracket 56 may be affixedto the body 51 to align the groove-forming rib 60 with a desiredposition for the groove (e.g., an axial position that aligns with theconduit gripping members of the fitting when the conduit end is fullyinstalled in the fitting. The exemplary positioning bracket 56 includesa boss 58 that abuts the conduit end to provide the desired alignment.

In another embodiment, a conduit end preparing tool may be provided witha mandrel feature configured to facilitate free rotation of the toolabout the conduit end during the groove forming operation. FIG. 20illustrates an exemplary conduit end preparing tool 50 a including abody 51 a, rollers 54 a, 60 a, gripping member 53 a, clamping member 55a, and adjustable handle 52 a similar to those of the tool 50 of FIGS.18A and 18B, and having a conduit capture mandrel arrangement 70 aassembled with the tool body 51 a. The mandrel arrangement 70 a includesa support member 71 a secured to the tool body 51 a (e.g., by screws 72a or other fasteners). The support member 71 a retains a mandrel 73 ahaving a recessed bore 74 a at a first end for receiving the conduit endC, and a threaded pin 75 a extending through an aperture in the supportmember 71 a and assembled with a threaded mounting nut 76 a and lockwashers 77 a. Friction reducing thrust bearings 78 a (e.g., made from asuitable plastic, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK)) are installedbetween the support member 71 a and the mandrel 73 a and lock washer 77a, to provide for free rotation of the tool body 51 a and support member71 a with respect to the conduit end C and mandrel 73 a, therebyfacilitating roll-forming of the conduit end groove.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a hand tool maybe utilized to produce an insertion depth indication mark on the conduitend, with the depth indication mark positioned to provide a visualindication that the conduit end has been sufficiently inserted in thefitting (e.g., when the depth indication mark is aligned with orobscured by an outboard end portion of the fitting). In the embodimentof FIG. 19 , the groove-forming roller 60 additionally includes a ridgedring 65 that produces a knurled ring or marking M on the conduit end Cthat may function as a depth indication mark. By providing thegroove-forming rib 61 and the mark forming ring 65 on the same roller60, in combination with the positioning bracket 56, proper positioningof the groove G and depth indication mark M (with respect to each otherand with respect to the conduit end) may be provided. In otherembodiments, the tool may be configured for forming only the groove G(e.g., using the roller 60 a of FIG. 19A) or for forming only the depthindication mark M (e.g., using the roller 60 b of FIG. 19B).

A conduit prepared (for example, using one of the tools 50, 50 a ofFIGS. 18A, 18B, and 20 ) to include a gripping member engaging grooveand an insertion depth indicating marking may be used with a variety ofpush to connect fittings, including any of the push to connect fittingsdescribed herein or in the above incorporated '582 Patent. FIG. 21illustrates just one such exemplary push to connect fitting 100 (similarto the fitting of FIG. 1 , and numbered accordingly) including a malethreaded body 184 and a female threaded nut 188 assembled to define aninternal cavity retaining a retainer body 130 retaining a plurality ofgripping members 144, a biasing spring 108, and a sealing arrangement140 (which includes a gland 190, backup rings 192, 194, and seal member196). A conduit C prepared (for example, using one of the tools 50, 50 aof FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 20 ) to include a gripping member engaging grooveG and an insertion depth indicating marking M is inserted into the pushto connect fitting 100 such that the marking M is obscured by the end ofthe nut 188, which corresponds to alignment of the groove G with thegripping members 144.

According to another aspect of the present application, a push toconnect fitting configured for connection with a grooved conduit end, asdescribed above, may be provided with a retaining arrangement thatutilizes a split ring gripping member (e.g., in place of a plurality ofdiscrete gripping members) that is interlocked or otherwise engagedbetween the conduit end groove and an interior surface of the fitting tosecure the conduit end within the fitting.

In one such embodiment, the split ring gripping member is interlocked orotherwise engaged between the conduit end groove and an internal surfaceof a separate colleting ring, such that a pulling force applied to aninstalled conduit end increases the colleting forces of the colletingring on the conduit end. FIGS. 22-26 illustrate an exemplary push toconnect fitting 900 having a male threaded body 984 and a femalethreaded nut 988 assembled to enclose a split ring retaining arrangement920 and a sealing arrangement 940, and to receive a conduit end C forretention (e.g., gripping and colleting retention) by the retainingarrangement and sealing engagement with the fitting, via the sealingarrangement. FIG. 27 illustrates an alternative exemplary push toconnect fitting 900′ having a female threaded body 984′ and a malethreaded nut 988′ assembled to enclose a split ring retainingarrangement 920′ and a sealing arrangement 940′ similar to those of themale configuration of FIGS. 22-26 , for which the below description willalso substantially apply.

Referring back to FIGS. 22-26 , the exemplary retaining arrangement 920includes a split gripping ring 930, a split colleting ring 935, and abiasing member, such as, for example, a wave spring 908 (as shown),and/or one or more elastomeric springs (e.g., elastomeric gasket or foamspacer), cupped washers, Belleville springs, or coil springs. Theexemplary sealing arrangement 940 includes a gland 990, backup rings992, 994, 998 and a seal member 996 (e.g., O-ring or other such gasket).The exemplary gland 990 includes an outwardly protruding end 991 that issecured between an inner lip or shoulder 986 of the nut 988 and an endportion 985 of the body 984 to axially fix the gland 990, therebypreventing fluid pressure driven compression of the spring 908. Due tothis fixed condition, an inboard nose portion 999 of the gland may beshortened, and the counterbore receiving the nose portion 999, backuprings 992, 994, 998 and seal member 996 may also be shortened.

The exemplary gripping ring 930 is radially inwardly biased to snap intothe conduit end groove G when the gripping ring 930 is axially alignedwith the conduit end groove (FIG. 22 ). An outboard portion of thegripping ring 930 is received in an inboard counterbore or recess in thecolleting ring 935. Upon pressurization or pulling on the conduit (FIG.23 ), the gripping ring 930 loads the colleting ring 935 against aninternal tapered surface 918 of the nut 988, tightening the radiallyoutward biased colleting ring against the conduit C, whilesimultaneously further radially compressing and holding the grippingring 930 in the conduit groove G.

During installation, insertion of the conduit end C through the grippingring 930 causes the gripping ring 930 to be at least partiallydisengaged from the collet ring recess 926 (FIG. 24 ), allowing thegripping ring to radially expand to facilitate further conduitinsertion, until the gripping ring aligns with, and snaps into, theconduit end groove G. To remove the conduit end C, an extension end 951of a removal tool 950 (FIG. 25 ), which may be similar to the otherconduit releasing tools and inserts described herein, may be insertedinto the nut 988 and into engagement with the colleting ring 935. Axialforce from the tool 950 against the colleting ring 935 may axially movethe colleting ring and gripping ring 930 against the spring 908 todislodge the gripping ring from the conduit end groove G for release ofthe conduit end. Additionally or alternatively, the tool 950 may holdthe colleting ring 935 and gripping ring 930 against outboard axialmovement, such that a pulling force applied to the conduit C canradially expand the colleting ring and gripping ring for disengagementof the gripping ring from the groove G. To facilitate this removal,while providing for secure retention of the installed conduit end, theconduit end groove G may be contoured to have a larger radius ofcurvature than the gripping ring 930, for example, to provide an inwardor inboard side slope angle α of between about 25° and about 45° (e.g.,about 35°), as shown in FIG. 28A. The inboard side slope angle α may beselected to be greater than collet ring recess slope angle β (e.g.,between about 15° and about 30°, or about 20°), for example, to providea reducing gap between the groove G and the colleting ring 935 as theconduit is forced axially outward under pressure, to facilitateretention of the gripping ring.

With further reference to FIG. 28A, to provide for adequate conduit gripby the gripping ring 930 when the conduit end C is subjected to a systempressure or pulling force, the gripping ring may be configured to extendinto the groove G by a minimum groove seating depth d corresponding tothe difference between the gripping ring diameter D and a colleting ringseating height h, plus a clearance dimension c selected to ensure thatthe colleting ring engages the outer surface of the conduit end C. Thisgroove seating depth may be selected to be, for example, about 0.005 toabout 0.012 inches, or between about 0.007 and about 0.008 inches.

With reference to FIG. 28B, to provide for removal of the conduit end Cby insertion of a release tool 950, the axial space between thecolleting ring 935 and the gland 990 and the radial space between thecolleting ring and the inner nut bore 919 may be selected to allow forcolleting ring displacement sufficient to provide a gap g between theconduit outer surface and the colleting ring inner surface sufficient toradially expand the gripping ring 930 out of the groove G.

While the conduit end groove G may be laterally symmetrical, as shown inthe embodiment of FIGS. 22-26 , in other embodiments, the conduit endgroove may include a steeper outboard side, for example, an angle θbetween about 45° and about 90°, or about 85°, with respect to the outersurface of the conduit, with an inboard side extending at an angle α ofbetween about 25° and about 45° (e.g., about 35°) with respect to theouter surface of the conduit. The steeper outboard side of the groovemay be provided to minimize outward exposure of the groove with thecolleting ring. This non-symmetric groove may be formed as an arcuateprofile groove G′, as shown in FIG. 28C, or a squared off dual taperedgroove G″, as shown in FIG. 28D.

The push to connect fitting may be provided with a variety of sealingarrangements. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 22-26 , the rearbackup ring 994 has a tapered (e.g., frustoconical) end surfacecontoured to shield and improve retention of the O-ring 996 duringconduit insertion, by creating a tapered inboard side groove in whichthe O-ring is disposed. In another exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 29A (similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 22-26 and using likereference numbers for corresponding components), front and rear backuprings 992 a, 994 a each have a tapered (e.g., frustoconical) end surfacecontoured to shield and improve retention of the O-ring 996 a duringconduit insertion, by creating a dovetail groove in which the O-ring isdisposed. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29B (similar to theembodiment of FIGS. 22-26 and using like reference numbers forcorresponding components), the fitting body 984 b is provided with atrepan tapered counterbore 987 b replacing the rear backup ring and,with the front backup rings 992 b, 998 b, providing a tapered inboardside groove in which the O-ring 996 b is disposed, to shield and improveretention of the O-ring during conduit insertion. In yet anotherembodiment, as shown in FIG. 29C (similar to the embodiment of FIGS.22-26 and using like reference numbers for corresponding components),the fitting body 984 c is provided with a trepan tapered counterbore 987b replacing the rear backup ring and, with the tapered (e.g.,frustoconical) ended front backup ring 992 c, creating a dovetail groovein which the O-ring 996 c is disposed, to shield and improve retentionof the O-ring 996 c during conduit insertion.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a pushto connect fitting with split gripping ring may be provided without abiasing member biasing the gripping ring toward the seated position. Insuch an arrangement, the nut cavity in which the gripping ring andcolleting ring are disposed may be sized such that axial alignment ofthe gripping ring with the groove of the inserted conduit is ensured andthe axial space in the nut cavity is minimized, while maintainingsufficient space for axial displacement (e.g., by tool insertion) of thecolleting ring to a conduit releasing position (e.g., as shown in FIG.28B and described above).

FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary push to connect fitting 900 d, similarto the embodiment of FIGS. 22-26 and using like reference numbers forcorresponding components, provided without a biasing member/spring, witha nut cavity 915 d sized such that axial alignment of the gripping ring930 d with the groove G of the inserted conduit C is ensured and theaxial space in the nut cavity 915 d is minimized, while maintainingsufficient space for axial displacement (e.g., by tool insertion) of thecolleting ring 935 d to a conduit releasing position. The axial space ofthe nut cavity 915 d may be limited by the axially captured gland 990 d(with outer rib 991 d captured between nut shoulder 986 d and body endportion 985 d) sized to extend proximate to or in axial alignment withthe groove G of the inserted conduit, thereby facilitating axialpositioning of the gripping ring 930 d without the assistance of abiasing member. As shown, the gland 990 d may, but need not, besymmetrical, for example, to facilitate installation. Tapered backuprings and or body trepan surfaces may also be used, as described above.

Similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 16 , a push to connectfitting with a split gripping ring may be provided with a removableconduit releasing tool or insert, assembled with the fitting nut to holdthe retaining arrangement in a conduit releasing condition. When aconduit end has been inserted into the fitting past the conduitretaining arrangement to a desired installed position, the conduitreleasing insert may be removed from the fitting, allowing the springbiased retaining arrangement to move to a conduit retaining condition. aremovable conduit releasing tool or insert may be assembled with

FIG. 30A illustrates the exemplary push to connect fitting 900 d of FIG.30 , including an installed conduit releasing insert tool 950 d (whichmay be similar to the conduit releasing inserts described above),permitting free insertion and removal of a conduit end C. The conduitreleasing insert 950 d includes a releasing extension 951 d that isinserted into the nut 988 d and into engagement with the colleting ring935 d, thereby axially holding the colleting ring and gripping ring 930d in a conduit releasing position. An interlocking flange portion 952 dof the insert 950 d extends over an end portion of the nut 988 d andsnaps into gripping engagement with a circumferential groove 989 d inthe nut end portion, thereby securing the insert 950 d to the nut, andsecuring the releasing extension 951 d against the colleting ring 935 dto hold the colleting ring and gripping ring 930 d in the conduitreleasing position.

According to another aspect of the present application, a push toconnect fitting configured for connection with a grooved conduit end, asdescribed above, may be provided with a retaining arrangement thatutilizes a unitary split ring conduit retaining member having a grippingportion that is received in the groove of the installed conduit end, anda colleting portion that engages a tapered interior surface of thefitting (e.g., a tapered interior surface of the fitting nut).

FIGS. 31-34 illustrate an exemplary push to connect fitting 900 e havinga male threaded body 984 e and a female threaded nut 988 e assembled toenclose a unitary split conduit retaining ring 920 e and a sealingarrangement 940 e, and to receive a conduit end C for retention (e.g.,gripping and colleting retention) by the retaining arrangement andsealing engagement with the fitting, via the sealing arrangement.

The exemplary conduit retaining ring 920 e (also shown in FIG. 31A)includes an inner radial gripping portion 930 e and an outer radialcolleting portion 935 e. The exemplary gripping portion 930 e defines aninner rib contoured to be closely received in the conduit end groove G.The exemplary colleting portion 935 e includes a tapered surfacecontoured to closely match the tapered interior surface 918 e of thefitting nut 988 e.

The exemplary sealing arrangement 940 e includes a gland 990 e, backuprings 992 e, 998 e, and a seal member 996 e (e.g., O-ring or other suchgasket). The exemplary gland 990 e is symmetrical and includes an outerrib 991 e that is secured between an inner ridge or shoulder 986 e ofthe nut 988 e and an end portion 985 e of the body 984 e to axially fixthe gland 990 e.

The exemplary conduit retaining ring 920 e is radially inwardly biasedto snap the gripping portion 930 e into the conduit end groove G whenthe gripping portion is axially aligned with the conduit end groove(FIG. 31 ). During installation of the conduit end C (FIG. 32 ), theconduit retaining ring 920 e is forced in a radially inboard direction,providing the conduit retaining ring with radial space to permit radialexpansion, to facilitate conduit insertion. Upon pressurization orpulling on the conduit (FIG. 33 ), the conduit end C and conduitretaining ring 920 e are forced in an axially outboard direction,causing the colleting portion 935 e to engage the tapered interiorsurface 918 e and be compressed radially inward into colletingengagement with the conduit end C, while simultaneously further radiallycompressing and holding the gripping portion 930 e in the conduit grooveG.

Similar to embodiments described above, to remove the conduit end C, anextension end 951 e of a removal tool 950 e (FIG. 34 ), which may besimilar to the other conduit releasing tools and inserts describedherein, with an extension 951 e that may be inserted into the nut 988 eand into engagement with the conduit retaining ring 920 e. Axial forcefrom the tool 950 e against the conduit retaining ring 920 e may axiallymove the conduit retaining ring to dislodge the gripping portion 930 efrom the conduit end groove G for release of the conduit end.Additionally or alternatively, the tool 950 e may hold the conduitretaining ring 920 e against outboard axial movement, such that apulling force applied to the conduit C can radially expand the conduitretaining ring for disengagement of the gripping portion 930 e from thegroove G.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 35 , a push to connect fitting900 f, 900 f′ with a conduit retaining ring 920 f (similar to theembodiment of FIGS. 31-34 and using like reference numbers forcorresponding components) may include a biasing member, such as, forexample, a wave spring 908 f (as shown), and/or one or more elastomericsprings (e.g., e.g., elastomeric gasket or foam spacer), cupped washers,Belleville springs, or coil springs, that axially biases the conduitretaining ring against the interior tapered surface 918 f of the fittingnut 988 f, for example, to center the conduit retaining ring inpreparation for tube insertion.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 , a push toconnect fitting 900 g with a conduit retaining ring 920 g (similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 31-34 and using like reference numbers forcorresponding components) may include a gland 990 g that is permitted adegree of axial movement or “float,” for example, to provide for axialforces applied by the gland against the conduit retaining ring 920 g inresponse to fluid pressurization of the O-ring seal 996 g. The axialspace for movement of the gland 990 g may be accomplished, for example,by providing the fitting nut 988 g with a deeper counterbore, whichprovides additional axial space between the nut shoulder 986 g and thebody end portion 985 g. When the conduit end is installed, the gland 990g and conduit retaining ring 920 g are permitted to move axially inboard(with the gland rib 991 g engaging the body end portion 985 g), allowingfor radial expansion of the conduit retaining ring (FIG. 36 ). The axialtravel of the gland 990 g may be limited or constrained, for example, tolimit outward load of the gland on the conduit retaining ring 990 g whenpressurized (with the gland rib 991 g engaging the nut shoulder 986 g,as shown in FIG. 37 ), and to limit or prevent axial compression of theO-ring seal 996 g during conduit insertion.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a pushto connect conduit fitting (e.g., any of the push to connect conduitfittings described herein or in the above incorporated '582 Patent) maybe configured to permit threaded adjustment of the fitting components(e.g. threaded adjustment of a fitting nut on a fitting body) to providefor easier conduit insertion when the fitting components are adjusted toa conduit insertion position, and secure conduit gripping and colletingwhen the fitting components are adjusted to an installed position.

FIGS. 38 and 39 illustrate an exemplary push to connect conduit fitting900 h (similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 31-34 and using like referencenumbers for corresponding components) having a fitting nut 988 h that isadjustable on a fitting body 984 h between a conduit insertion position(FIG. 38 ) and an installed position (FIG. 39 ). When the fitting nut988 h is in the conduit insertion position, the gland 990 h and conduitretaining ring 920 h are axially movable in an inboard direction toallow for disengagement of the colleting portion 935 h of the conduitretaining ring from the interior tapered surface 918 h of the nut 988 h,to permit radial expansion of the conduit retaining ring during conduitinsertion. When the conduit C has been fully inserted (e.g., with thegripping portion 930 h of the conduit retaining ring 920 h snapping intoengagement with the conduit groove G), the fitting nut 988 h may betightened to the installed position to move the interior tapered surface918 h of the nut 988 h against the colleting portion 935 h of theconduit retaining ring, thereby compressing the colleting portionagainst the conduit C. Such an arrangement may provide for a reductionin outward axial movement of the conduit when pressurized, increasedgripping and colleting at low system pressures, and resistance torotation of the installed conduit.

The inventive aspects and concepts have been described with reference tothe exemplary embodiments. Modification and alterations will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It isintended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar asthey come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalentsthereof.

We claim:
 1. A push to connect fitting comprising: first and secondfitting components joined to define an interior cavity having anoutboard end; a sealing arrangement disposed in the interior cavity andconfigured to seal against an outer surface of a conduit end portionwhen the conduit end portion is inserted into the outboard end; and aconduit retaining arrangement disposed in the interior cavity, theconduit retaining arrangement including a gripping portion that gripsthe outer surface of the inserted conduit end portion and a colletingportion outboard of the gripping portion that collets the outer surfaceof the inserted conduit end portion in response to insertion of theconduit end portion into the outboard end in a single action, wherein atleast the colleting portion is engageable with an interior taperedsurface in the interior cavity; wherein the colleting portion is definedby a single piece split ring, split to define a circumferential gapbetween first and second circumferential ends of the single piece splitring.
 2. The push to connect fitting of claim 1, wherein the grippingportion is defined by the single piece split ring.
 3. The push toconnect fitting of claim 1, wherein the single piece split ring is afirst single piece split ring, the fitting assembly further comprising asecond single piece split ring separate from the first single piecesplit ring and defining the gripping portion.
 4. The push to connectfitting of claim 3, wherein the first single piece split ring includesan inboard recess receiving an outboard portion of the second singlepiece split ring.
 5. The push to connect fitting of claim 1, wherein thesingle piece split ring is radially inwardly biased.
 6. The push toconnect fitting of claim 1, wherein the gripping portion comprises aretainer body and a plurality of conduit gripping members retained in aplurality of cavities in the retainer body.
 7. The push to connectfitting of claim 6, wherein the single piece split ring is radiallyoutwardly biased.
 8. The push to connect fitting of claim 1, furthercomprising a spring member disposed between the gripping portion and thesealing arrangement to bias the gripping portion and the colletingportion in an outboard direction.
 9. The push to connect fitting ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second fitting components comprise a malethreaded fitting body and a female threaded fitting nut.
 10. The push toconnect fitting of claim 1, wherein the sealing arrangement includes anoutboard gland axially fixed between portions of the first and secondfitting components.
 11. A fitting assembly comprising: a conduit havingan end portion with a circumferential groove; and a push to connectfitting comprising: first and second fitting components joined to definean interior cavity having an outboard end; a sealing arrangementdisposed in the interior cavity and configured to seal against an outersurface of a conduit end portion when the conduit end portion isinserted into the outboard end; and a conduit retaining arrangementdisposed in the interior cavity, the conduit retaining arrangementincluding a gripping portion that grips the outer surface of theinserted conduit end portion and a colleting portion outboard of thegripping portion that collets the outer surface of the inserted conduitend portion in response to insertion of the conduit end portion into theoutboard end in a single action, wherein at least the colleting portionis engageable with an interior tapered surface in the interior cavity;wherein the colleting portion is defined by a single piece split ring,split to define a circumferential gap between first and secondcircumferential ends of the single piece split ring.
 12. The fittingassembly of claim 11, wherein the circumferential groove includes aconcave surface.
 13. The fitting assembly of claim 11, wherein thecircumferential groove includes an inboard side and an outboard side,wherein the inboard side extends at a first angle with respect to theouter surface of the conduit, and the outboard side extends at a secondangle with respect to the outer surface of the conduit, the second anglebeing greater than the first angle.
 14. The fitting assembly of claim11, wherein the first and second fitting components comprise a malethreaded fitting body and a female threaded fitting nut.
 15. A push toconnect fitting comprising: first and second fitting components joinedto define an interior cavity having an outboard end; a sealingarrangement disposed in the interior cavity, wherein the sealingarrangement seals against an outer surface of a conduit end portion whenthe conduit end portion is inserted into the outboard end; a grippingarrangement disposed in the interior cavity, wherein the grippingarrangement grips the outer surface of the inserted conduit end portion;and a colleting ring separate from the gripping arrangement and disposedin the interior cavity and having an inboard end surface engaging anoutboard end surface defined by a ring portion of the grippingarrangement, wherein the colleting ring collets the outer surface of theinserted conduit end portion in response to insertion of the conduit endportion into the outboard end in a single action.
 16. The push toconnect fitting of claim 15, wherein the gripping arrangement comprisesa retainer body and a plurality of conduit gripping members retained ina plurality of cavities in the retainer body, with the retainer bodydefining the ring portion of the gripping arrangement.
 17. The push toconnect fitting of claim 15, further comprising a spring member disposedbetween the gripping arrangement and the sealing arrangement to bias thegripping arrangement in an outboard direction toward a conduit grippingposition and to bias the colleting ring in an outboard direction towarda conduit colleting position.
 18. The push to connect fitting of claim15, wherein the first and second fitting components comprise a malethreaded fitting body and a female threaded fitting nut.
 19. The push toconnect fitting of claim 15, wherein the sealing arrangement includes anoutboard gland axially fixed between portions of the first and secondfitting components.
 20. The push to connect fitting of claim 15, whereinthe colleting ring is axially aligned with an interior tapered surfaceof the second fitting component, such that outward axial movement of thecolleting ring against the interior tapered surface radially compressesthe colleting ring.